A Marnus Labuschagne masterclass may have Queensland in the box seat to claim another Sheffield Shield title.
But Sean Abbott hopes lessons learned from Test No.3 Labuschagne's sublime 192 in the Shield final in Brisbane on Saturday will help him rescue NSW with the bat.
The Blues were battling at 5-140 in their second dig, still trailing Queensland by 106 runs when bad light ensured an early stumps on day three of the decider.
Allrounder Abbott is not out 20 and wicketkeeper Baxter Holt unbeaten on 10 after Xavier Bartlett claimed 3-31 at Allan Border Field.
The Bulls will be backing themselves to secure title No.9 and their first since the 2017-18 season.
But Abbott has not given up, saying he will try to follow Labuschagne's example with the bat in a bold bid to save the game for the Blues.
"I certainly try to keep a close eye on how Marnus goes about it. We saw one of the best in the world go about his business against a really good attack," Abbott said.
"The most important thing he did was his decision making, not playing at balls he didn't have to and when he scored he wasn't expansive.
"We obviously have a mountain to climb but we are positive."
Labuschagne struck 21 boundaries in his nine-and-a-half hour, 353-ball knock to steer Queensland to 389 and a 246-run first innings lead.
He was eventually caught behind off Abbott (4-71) and his marathon effort was the fourth highest total in a Shield final.
It marked his fourth Shield ton of the season, becoming the first player since Tasmania's Ben Dunk in 2015-16 to achieve the feat.
The superb knock was also his second highest first class score, behind only last summer's 215 for Australia against New Zealand.
But the hard marking batsman still left the field a disappointed man.
"To get out the way I did was very frustrating. I just tried to be too greedy and get that boundary through the gully," Labuschagne told Fox Cricket.
"I am disappointed but ... I don't think I have played an innings where I have been so measured the whole way through."
Labuschagne - who resumed on Saturday on 160 - took his Shield season tally to 821 runs at 82.10 to be third on the leading scorers' list.
The Bulls attack then ripped through NSW's top order.
Queensland captain Usman Khawaja took a screamer at gully to claim Daniel Hughes for 40 off Bartlett, ending a 64-run opening stand with Matthew Gilkes (37).
The visitors then lost 4-36 to be reeling at 5-121 as quick Brendan Doggett (2-26) also chimed in.
Earlier, NSW's world-class attack featuring Josh Hazlewood (1-42), Mitchell Starc (1-52) and Nathan Lyon (3-116) made short work of Queensland when they resumed on 3-286 on day three.
The Bulls lost their final six wickets for 38.
But NSW - without Steve Smith, Pat Cummins, David Warner and Moises Henriques due to IPL duties - were still at long odds to claim consecutive Shield titles for the first time since 1993-94 and a record 48th crown after Labuschagne's innings.
Australian Associated Press
